Why You Should Pick a Theme for Your Art Journal

Soft Neutral Collage Spread: Part 1

One of my highlights each week is creating a fun new tutorial for you all! This time I’m working in this 5in x 5in journal, which is a super manageable size. I often like to pick a theme for my journals, these themes have a wide range. Sometimes it’s based on techniques or style. Other times I’m focused on color mixing or collage. I like to think of these themes as loose categories for me to stick to. Not strict restrictions but as a gentle guide to keep me focused. When I’m swamped with ideas, having categories can help!

neutral art, handmade journal, art journal, collage techniques, bb henry art, fiber art, textiles, washi tape, collage papers, thread, brooke henry

For this journal, it’s all about creating cozy, neutral-themed spreads with an emphasis on collage. I started out the page with some scribbling, which allows me to loosen up and dive into the blank page. Art marks, paint, and collage followed - I did my best to follow my creative intuition! Along with using a few of the paper scraps that I had laying around, I recycled an old sweater to use as a textile element that added texture. Some hand stitching helped to bring this whole page together.

Today, I focused on the left side of the spread and left some white background space intact, which is always a challenge for me. I don’t usually do just one side at a time, so this was a bit of an experiment.